Environmentalist

Applications are available on the Young Champions of Earth website. This is our tale of six environmentalist – environmental leaders that have already created ripple effects in their communities across the globe. This story will inspire you to apply. Tell me about your ambition as a young champion in 2019. This will end on Sunday 31 March midnight Eastern Africa time. Malaika Vaz. Malaika Vasz is an adventurer, wildlife journalist, filmmaker and conservationist. Her passions are fueled by the outdoors.

Contents

1. Do you have it you?
2. Commitment as a Student & Job Commitment
3. Basic Qualification
4. Attitude Aptitude & Skills
5. Future Prospects
6. Other Professions

Do you have in you?

An Environmentalist is a person who is in love with Mother Earth and her assets. And is dedicated towards saving the vestiges. The remnants of earth that we so frivolously flout and destruct, an environmentalist tries to nurture and nourish them, gathers the pieces and tries to restore what is lost. It is the love for nature that drives the people who have been tagged as environmentalists. If you feel your blood rushing at the news of every tree that is felled, every tiger that is poached, and you have a revolting streak in you along with a caring nurturing attitude, and you are ready to take up the challenges of a challenging profession, that does not yield as high an income as other coveted professions, then you can consider being an environmentalist. And thus devote your capabilities, concerns and devotion in saving nature.

Commitment as a Student & Job Commitment

You have to put your profession before any other concern. And work at odd hours, without rest. This is the level of commitment that this profession demands.

Basic Qualification

Depending on the kind of work that you want to do, as it has various branches, you can pursue a course. Though there is no such compulsion to take up science or humanities, but a knowledge of geography, biology and life sciences helps. An environmentalist can be a geologist, scientist, biologist, journalist, writer or an activist. Thus study has to be according to your bent of mind. And there is no age to join the cause. You can be a part of the movement and contribute as per your knowledge and specialization at any point of your life and career. So a journalist can report on environmental abuse and a geologist can make us aware of the adverse effects of soil erosion on nature. If you want to take up the profession at the grass root level, then you can pursue a degree in science (environment science) at the bachelor’s level. For this take up science with biology, in plus two. You can also do an MBA, or go in for Research. This will provide better opportunity and scope of work. You can also join an NGO dedicated to saving the earth, without going in for specific courses, and they will train you in the basics, and rest you shall learn with experience. You must always keep in mind the fact that being an environmentalist is not dependent on the degree that you hold or your high qualification. The love for nature and the felt need to protect is, is what drives this profession. So even if studies bog you down and still you want to make it your goal, you can do so.

Attitude Aptitude & Skills

You need to be passionate about the profession. This is the most important trait. Knowledge and understanding of sciences, especially geology and biology, is essential. You should have an inclination for learning, researching, and should be keen to know about the latest occurrences, policies, defects and effects, related to the environment. You have to be daring to oppose what is harmful, and willing to take up the challenges of the profession. You will have to face a lot of opposition, from various quarters, and should thus be able to tackle, handle and overcome them without getting bogged down, or retreating. You also need an analytical mind. You should be able to face any adversity. Good communication skills helps, as you will have to interact with all segments and kinds of people- from politicians, government officials, general populace. And students, farmers, industrialists, forest officials etc. In short, you have to be able to communicate with everyone if you want to get your point across and get concrete results. Environmentalists are usually involved in events like court cases, strikes or dharnas, rallies, seminars etc. You should thus have ample physical and mental endurance and patience. It can be an endless tussle with industrialists or government; and as an environmentalist you should be able to take it in your stride and move on. At times you may have to overlook your personal and family concerns for the cause, and you should be able to prioritize the cause at such times.

Future Prospects

As a trainee or beginner with an NGO during the initial years of your career, you may not earn a high amount. Typically NGOs pay around Rs. 10,000-15,000 a month, to freshers. At a later stage you may get anywhere around Rs 50,000 – 1 lakh a month. You can also start an NGO. Or work as an environment consultant. As mentioned earlier, you can also be a part of the cause while still following another profession and contribute accordingly. You can also be an activist, meet concerned authorities like the government and try to discuss and resolve issues concerning environment. There are no fixed returns of this profession, and that should be the least concern of an environmentalist. With experience and years in the profession, you will be an expert, and be able to take concrete steps, guide people, and be heard. It is the desire to be useful and dedication towards environment before oneself, that has to be the motto. There are infinite number of people who are sacrificing lucrative opportunities to devote their life to a better goal, and therefore the future of this movement is no more nascent, but an accumulated voice of millions round the globe. There is no dearth of ‘jobs’ in this profession; it can employ all of us.